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Saturday, October 22, 2016

Afternoon Tea on the Bridge ~ and a little mindfulness

Long time readers of High Heeled Life already know I'm all about a good cup of tea in the afternoon. Making time in your afternoon for tea not only provides the opportunity to indulge in a small treat - to carry you through to dinner or the drive home after work; it also gives you a few moments to pause in your day - practice a little mindfulness and recharge the mind.

With the great autumn afternoons we have been blessed with my afternoon cup of tea at the country home can still be enjoyed outside. this particular afternoon I set myself up down on the small bridge.

My Lady Carlyle tea cup and side plate by Royal Albert - some tasty macarons my friend spoiled me with, from Trader Joe's ... I kid you not they are tres yummy!!

a pillow and blanket ... some leisure reading magazines ... the sun shining it's warm rays and I settled in for some time away from computer, phones, and distractions.

The only sounds ... were chirping birds, the gurgling of the stream beneath the bridge ...

After a little leisure reading ... I practiced a little mindfulness ... below are some steps I 've shared before to help you practice mindfulness...

mind·ful·ness

ˈmīndfəlnəs/

noun

noun: mindfulness

1.

the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.

"their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition"

2.

a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

With today's demands for us to always be connected it has become more important than ever to unplug, stop doing things on auto pilot and experience being in the moment. Try these simple steps the next time you brew a cup of tea:

1. Take notice of your environment, the sound of the water as you fill the kettle. Smile at the thought of fresh water and give thanks for having it.

2. Take note of how your feet feel as you make your way across the room, how the floor feels below your feet.

3. Notice the various shades and textures of the dry tea leaves. If you use tea bags still touch the leaves and breathe in the fragrant scent.

4. Listen to the sound of the water as you pour it into the teapot see how the leaves begin to transform as the hot water envelopes them.

5. As the tea steeps try to quieten your mind focus on your breath - inhaling and exhaling through the nose.

6. Holding teacup with both hands raise teacup to your nose. Take three deep breaths inhaling the warmth and fragrant scent of your tea.

7. Take note of the flavours as the tea rolls over your tongue - see if you can identify their origins.

8. As the tea makes its way past your tongue invite it into your body to nourish and heal.

9. Repeat steps 6-8 until you finish your cup of tea.

You will be surprised at how much more creative and productive you will feel and be when you take the time to recharge your mind.

If tea is not your thing ... no worries ... have a cup of coffee, or smoothie or a glass of water (we can all drink more water - I'm certain). Get outside - stroll to a near by park, and just sit. Be present in the moment. Allow your mind to take a break from the work day. If mid afternoon doesn't permit getting outside - do it during your lunch hour, or find a spot in the office that you can sit looking out a window ...and take in the nature beyond it.

Jill, Thank you. I found scheduling 15-20 minutes in my planner very helpful in the beginning ... and though I still schedule it - it has become almost automatic as mid afternoon approaches. Wishing a fabulous day.

Looks like a wonderful place for a lovely tea! So nice you can still have it outside...mindfulness is indeed an important thing. Thanks for the lovely post and hearing from you again! Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!Ruth

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